Wednesday, January 30, 2013

4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.

4 comments
1. Listen to that little voice inside, it is usually RIGHT.
2. Floss
3. Exercise everyday
4. Follow your dreams where ever they may lead you!!

Well isn’t it true, if only we knew then what we know now, I keep saying youth is wasted on the young.

I sure wish I had the energy that I had then, but in reality I have much more focus now than I ever did back then.

I am trying to focus on making new work this year.

Oh sure I made plenty of new work last year, but most of it was small and I really want to get back to making big stuff. I miss that.

So this year already I have completed two larger pieces. One of which I can’t show you yet, but it will be in an upcoming issue of the new Modern Quilts Unlimited Magazine.

Here is a sneak peak at part of it. It is called Green Leaves.
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And then I started a project for my daughter-in-laws mother. I don’t think she reads my blog but if you do CATHY, stop now.

This project is to be something for spring and it had to be a certain size.

I decide to use two of my favorite gradations to PIECE this idea.

Here is the beginning of  the project I am calling Cathy’s Baskets.

I used Raspberry gradation and Limey Avocado to create this spring Wall Quilt.
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I am working on a series of posts showing you the step outs for making this basket quilt.
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Happy Quilting.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Last week of January SALE

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This year I want to focusing on creating new color gradations in my fabric line and implementing them in my new quilts. I have already added one new color gradation to the fabric page on my website, Purple Plum. I want to add new gradations each month for the rest of this year. I hope you will find time to look at the fabric gradations and send me a comment. I would love to hear from you. Perhaps you have an idea for a color gradation that I might try. Please blog or email me your ideas.

To Celebrate 2013 all our fabric gradations will be on sale through the month of January for$20.13. How appropriate to start the new year.

A good way to start out the new year is with a 1/2 yard of rainbow gradation and 1/2 yard of blackened rainbow gradation. I use these two fabrics all the time when I am working on my art pieces. They allow me so many color choices that all work well together.

Frieda Anderson Rainbow gradation combo
Rainbow gradation combo
1/2 yard of blackened rainbow and 1/2 yard of rainbow gradation.
Frieda Anderson - Purple Plum gradation
Purple Plum

2013 Calendar
My 2013 calendar is ready and waiting for you to order. This colorful calendar is always a great little gift for one of your quilting buddies or a bright addition to your own studio space. It is a collection of some of the art quilts I made in 2012.

2013 Calendar - Frieda Anderson
Improvisational Fused Quilt Art

Pre-Order: Improvisational Fused Quilt Art: Create Beautiful Art Quilts the Easy Way with Frieda Anderson and Laura Wasilowski.

OR you can download it right now!!

Just when you thought Easy Buttons didn't exist! Okay, there may not be an Easy Button in life but you CAN have one for quilting! Join Laura Wasilowski and I to learn our amazingly easy method of creating art quilts using fusible web.

Quickly translate all of your exciting ideas into beautiful art quilts when you construct with fusible web. You’ll be in the best of hands with us and find our wonderfully collaborative approach to be both entertaining and informative, and gain a wealth of valuable tips and techniques. After getting an overview of tools and construction methods, you’ll be on your way to creating one-of-a-kind improvisational fused art quilts with step-by-step guidance from each teacher. Plus, learn how to stitch your quilts by machine, add hand embroidery, and finish your quilt with a flourish. Before you know it, you’ll discover that being a fuser is an absolute blast.
Press on and imagine all the quilt projects you can create with this must-have Workshop, Improvisational Fused Quilt Art: Create Beautiful Art Quilts the Easy Way.

Improvisational Fused Quilt Art
Quilting Arts DVD with Frieda And Laura
Like us on Facebook by clicking the links above. Thanks


Laura Wasilowski and Frieda Anderson having fun and making art.

Thank you

Thank you for being a loyal customer and friend. I hope you will share this newsletter with your quilting buddies and become a follower on my blog too. It is free to join the blog and will give you daily tips, techniques, and information that you can use in your quilting adventures. Everyone who signs up for my blog or gets a friend to sign up for it will receive a free 1/4 yard of my hand dyed fabric. Just send me your name and address.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013!
























Friday, January 25, 2013

Sewing Expo in Puyallup WA

6 comments
Laura and I will be the featured lecturerers on Saturday March 2, 2013 at the upcoming Sewing Expo in Puyallup WA.

We really just like saying Puyallup.

colorful F&L
Our lecture is titled Two Hot Fuser chicks!!!

We will also be offering several classes.

You really don’t want to miss this fun!!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The CRAFTSY winner is….

3 comments

FriedaAndersonhanddyedfabric

And the winner of the 50% off coupon and 1/4 yard of my luscious hand dyed fabric is….

DEB…………

My earliest memory of embroidery was with my grandmother when I was about 5 years old. I can remember the room in her house and exactly where I was sitting. She sat beside me and carefully helped me and then left me to continue the stitching while she went to make tea or something. When she returned I proudly held up what I had done and discovered that I had sewed my dress to the project. I was so upset, but what I remember the most was her very calming and soothing voice telling me that it was alright, anything with fabric and a needle could easily be fixed. I don't remember what happened with that piece of embroidery, but I'll never forget that voice telling me, "Don't worry, anything can be fixed with fabric and a needle." It's what carries me through to this day as I work on projects that might not turn out quite the way I want them to and it's the message that I'm passing on to my granddaughter as well. I'm sure it's why I love fabric and sewing so very much. Anything can be fixed!

I love that antidote!!

I wish more girls were learning sewing skills these days along with playing sports, doing math and science and eventually becoming CEO’s.

Deb please send me your snail mail address and I will get the coupon and the 1/4 yard of rainbow gradation in the mail to you so you can start something wonderful during these cold winter months.

Happy Quilting today!!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Craftsy

27 comments

My buddy my pal Laura Wasilowski is now on Craftsy with a class called Hand Stitched  collage Quilts.

Leave me your comments for a chance to win a coupon worth 50% off of one class, about the first time you can remember doing hand stitching.

I will send the winning comment the CRAFTSY coupon, along with 1/4 yard of my rainbow gradation.
Woo Woo what a deal.

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You can make SO many pretty things with this gradation.

Happy Quilting today.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Keeping it clean

4 comments

I am a firm believer in keeping it clean.

You are probably asking yourself “What do I have to clean NOW?”

Something that will make your sewing life better, and therefore a happier quilter. If you take just a few minutes to maintain your sewing machine it is going to last longer and work better and give you your best results ever.

I have copied this information from Threads magazine. I suggest you go over there and look for yourself if you want to download a copy to keep next to your sewing machine, your best sewing tool and friend.

 

Preventive Sewing-Machine Maintenance

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With some simple tools and just a few minutes daily, weekly, or monthly— depending on how much you're sewing— you can help keep your machine running smoothly.

by Sally Hickerson
from Threads #91, pgs. 28, 30


Most sewing machine problems that I encounter can be traced to poor general maintenance or neglect. But with some simple tools (shown in the photo right) and just a few minutes daily, weekly, or monthly— depending on how much you're sewing— you can help keep your machine running smoothly. Here are my guidelines for care that should keep you and your machine happy and out of the repair shop.

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Cleaning and caring for your sewing machine requires only a few simple tools available from your machine dealer or fabric store: a small lint brush, a can of ozone-friendly compressed air, a clean piece of muslin, sewing-machine oil, and a dust cover.

Keep it covered
Dust, lint, grit, and animal hair can find their way into your machine and cause all sorts of problems, especially for the printed circuit board of a computerized machine. So try not to place it near an open window, and always cover it when not in use. You can purchase a ready-made plastic cover from a notions or machine dealer, make one yourself, or even use an old pillow case— but keep your machine under wraps when you're not sewing.
Change your needles often
I recommend replacing the needle after every four hours of sewing time. When you sew, the needle passes through the fabric thousands of times per minute, and each time it does two things: It makes a hole in the fabric for the thread to glide through, and it forms a loop with the thread to make the actual stitch. The bobbin hook picks up this loop by moving just .05 mm or less behind the needle— about the thickness of a piece of paper— so if the needle becomes bent or dull, you may get skipped stitches, broken or looped threads, runs and pulls in the fabric, or even damage to your machine.
When the needle is compatible with your fabric and thread, your machine sews more smoothly. An inappropriate needle will force the thread through the fabric instead of letting it glide cleanly through the needle hole and may cause broken or sheared threads. A common mistake is to use a needle that's too small for the thread. For example, a size 70/10 needle is the right choice for fine fabrics like silk, but use only a size 60 or 65 with fine, lightweight thread, like lingerie thread.
A sharp needle, like a Microtex or Jeans needle, is the better choice when sewing natural-fiber woven fabrics than the Universal needle, which has a slight ballpoint and was developed to glide between synthetic polyester fibers without breaking them. Regular ballpoint needles, however, are still the best for sewing knits, fleece fabrics, and elastic. And now there are needles specially designed for sewing with rayon or metallic threads that have Teflon-coated eyes to reduce friction and thread breakage.
Wind bobbins correctly
Be sure there are no thread tails hanging from the bobbin when it's inserted into the bobbin case. They can jam the machine and cause the upper thread to break. And note that there's no such thing as a generic bobbin. Always use a bobbin designed for your machine in order to avoid skipped stitches, loose threads, and noise, as well as permanent damage to the bobbin case.
Regular cleaning is essential
Get in the habit of cleaning your machine after each project. Follow the instructions in your manual, or ask your machine mechanic to show you how. Basically, a routine cleaning can be accomplished quickly and easily if you follow these steps:

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Fold a piece of muslin in half, and use the folded edge to clean between tension disks.

Start at the top and clean the tension disks with a folded piece of fine muslin. Be sure the presser foot is up, so the tension springs are loose and the muslin can move easily between the disks, dislodging any lint or fuzz. Use a can of compressed air, blowing from back to front, to remove loose particles from around the tension disks and to clean other areas inside the machine. Don't blow into your machine yourself because breath contains moisture and will eventually cause corrosion.
Get into the habit of removing the machine's needle and throwing it away after completing a project. Then take out the throat plate, bobbin, bobbin case, and hook race if this applies to your machine (new computerized machines do not have removable hooks). Clean under the feed dogs and around the bobbin area with a small brush, and use the compressed air to blow out any lint from inside of the bobbin case. If the hook mechanism is removable, wipe it clean with a dot of oil on a piece of muslin, and give it an additional small drop of oil before returning it to the machine. Use a light oil recommended for sewing machines; do not use three-in-one oil. Check with your manual regarding any other areas on your machine that may require oiling, and use only a small drop for each spot. It is always better to oil too little more often than too much at one time, and avoid oiling any plastic parts.

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Don't forget to clean inside the bobbin case. Using compressed air, which has a straw (shown in red above) to direct air to a desired spot, blow out lint and loose threads.

 

Use a soft piece of muslin with a dot of sewing machine oil to clean the race hook. If the hook is removable, place a drop of oil on it before returning it to the machine.

You can easily do this routine by yourself, but I also recommend a check-up by your dealer or an authorized mechanic every two (I suggest EVER year) years. Your machine will give you years of service if you take the time to care for it properly.

Sally Hickerson is the owner of Waechter's Silk Shop in Asheville, N.C. (www.waechters.com), and is an authorized sewing-machine mechanic.
Photos: David Page Coffin

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

All you need is Love, dotta doda do

0 comments
I posted this last year, but very late, maybe you want to give it a try this year – you have a whole month until Valentine’s Day.

All you need is Love.

February is the month of Love. And Valentine’s is just ONE month away.

Do you think that is because there is nothing else going on in the month of February?
Why not make this Valentine wall hanging to brighten up your space.

friedaanderson_hearts
You can down load a free PDF pattern here. Have fun.

If you want to make it just like mine I have a fabric kit for you - 3 quarter yards of hand dyed fabric for $15. Order Here.






Monday, January 14, 2013

Quilting Arts TV series

0 comments

QATV Series 1100

Tune in to the latest season of 'QATV' to get fresh ideas for contemporary quilting, explore a multitude of artful approaches to design techniques, and more.

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Hosted by Pokey Bolton, founder of Quilting Arts® Magazine, 'Quilting Arts TV' features many of today’s top quilt artists as guests including: Frieda Anderson, Wendy Butler Berns, AnneMarie Chany, Ginny Eckley, Ellen Anne Eddy, Elizabeth Hartman, Heather Jones, Jane LaFazio, Libby Lehman, Penny McMorris, Jenny Novinsky, Debra Quartermain, Sherry Rogers-Harrison, Luana Rubin, Sophie Rubin, Laura Wasilowski, and Carol Ann Waugh.
In this incredible latest season, you'll learn free-motion machine quilting designs and techniques; surface design—from screen printing to working with soy wax resist and dyes; modern quilting ideas; machine work including decorative machine stitching, bobbin drawing, couching, and trapunto; hand embroidery; a review of sewing machine feet; tips for tension adjustment; and plenty more!

You'll also be on your way to making projects ranging from quilts and wall hangings to festive table-top flags and pressing boards. Dive into the newest season of 'QATV' and fall instantly in love with each spectacular episode.


I am in two of the episodes with my Rainbow Quilt. This perfect size baby quilt is made with two yards of my rainbow gradation fabric and one yard of white fabric.

I hope you will check it out. I show you how to make the quilt and then how I machine quilted it.


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Behind the scenes with Pokey. It was so much fun to do the TV show!!  I will have to do it again.

Happy Quilting today!





Friday, January 11, 2013

Let’s get warm in 2014!!

5 comments
Join the West's Premiere Quilt Show
QUILTING AND CRUISING WITH<br />ROAD TO CALIFORNIA
15 DAY FULL TRANSIT PANAMA CANAL CRUISE
APRIL 15-29, 2014
WITH TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS
FRIEDA ANDERSON - PATT BLAIR
MELINDA BULA - GREGORY CASE
ANITA GROSSMAN SOLOMON - TERRY ANN WALDRON
I am going to be teaching several of my fusing classes. There will be pre-fused kits to make the prep time very minimal.
I am really looking forward to this trip. I have always wanted to see the Panama Canal and I have never been to Mexico. This is going to be one fun trip.
I hope you will consider joining me.





Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Woven heart baskets

0 comments

I posted this last February but I posted it so close to Valentines, I bet some of you didn’t bother trying them.

So I am reposting it early this year in case you want to give these a try.

Have fun.

Woven Heart Basket

I first made these twelve years ago.

I got the idea from the paper heart baskets that the Scandinavian's put on their Christmas trees. I thought why can't I fuse the fabric and make these out of fabric. So I did.

This is a fun, easy project for you to make. You can down load the pattern here. if you sign up to follow my blog. Just click the link at the top of the page on the left side. Thanks

Monday, January 7, 2013

3. Describe your relationship with your parents.

7 comments
I have a GOOD relationship with my parents.

My mom is one of the reasons why I do what I do. Growing up we moved often. My dad kept getting promotions and that meant going to a new town.

One way my mom helped to intergrade us (me and my sister) into the community was to enroll us in classes of things that we wanted to do. For me it was art, for my sister it was athletics.

My mom likes to tell people she had  to “push” me to do art. And maybe that is true. I was a very shy child, probably because I had to make new friends EVERY year for at least 10 years.


But I am glad that she pushed me and I love to make art.
My dad passed away when I was 21 years old of a heart attack. He was 51 years old.

I miss him everyday and wish that he had been around to meet and know my sons.

As a kid I made all kinds of stuff, I taught myself to sew, paint, do crafts and I feel so lucky that for my profession I get to do the same thing.

I also had a lot of great teachers along the way that just shared what they know and liked to do.
I like to work with fabric and color. And I like to try new things.

One of the new things that I have been doing with my small art is to find a way to frame it.
I have been using Timtex or Peltex to mount small pieces of art to.

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This little landscape was completed quilted and then finished with a satin stitch around the edge.

I cut a piece of Timtex 2” larger all the way around then the finished quilt. I wrapped fabric around the Timtex like a package and fused it in place.

I added a hanging loop on the back and then I sewed the small quilt to the frame.
I have also used pre stretched canvas in different ways.

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These three quilts where completely finished and quilted. I did a pillow case (AQS magazine article March 2013 issue) finish for each quilt.

I then attached flaps to each side of the quilt and wrapped the fabric flaps to the back of a pre stretched canvas frame and stapled them to the frame. 

A hanging hook was added and they were ready to frame.
These are in one of my sons homes.

What have you done new lately?

Happy Quilting today.


Friday, January 4, 2013

Church banner

3 comments
How many of you out there do things for your church?

This is a banner that Alice from TX made for her church using a gradation she requested from me in shades of red to purple.

It turned out really well don’t you think?

She used the fusing techniques we did in class.

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Art quiltsalice

This is the one of the projects Alice did in my class back in 2009, geez weez, that is 4 years ago already! Time sure does fly.

I love the little acorns, they make me smile.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

EMERALD

2 comments
I love to see what the color of the year will be and guess what it is GREEN.


You can go to the Pantone website and check out all kinds of great color stuff.
I am always thinking about color.

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Bubbling UP

Emerald is working in lots of my work.
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Hidden World – detail
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Prairie Grass

How have you used “Emerald” in your work?


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